Buchholz unlikely to start Tuesday for Boston

Boston Red Sox's Clay Buchholz looks to the outfield as he comes in at the end of the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Boston, Saturday, May 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

DETROIT – Boston Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz is not expected to start Tuesday, and there’s no timetable for when the unbeaten right-hander might be ready to return from a strained neck.

Buchholz (9-0) did not throw a bullpen session yesterday, although he did do some flat-ground work. He’s been on the disabled list since June 9.

“It’s likely that at some point we’re probably going to have to get him out on a rehab assignment – at least one start for now,” Manager John Farrell said. “But there’s no time frame for that. We’ve got to get him on the mound first and then build from there.”

The team had hoped Buchholz might be able to pitch Tuesday, but now Ryan Dempster is scheduled to make that start against Colorado.

“It’s just not quite to the point where I can get on the mound right now,” Buchholz said. “I’m still trying to feel it out, I guess. It’s taking a bit longer than I want it to.”

When healthy this year, Buchholz has been perhaps the best pitcher in the American League. He leads the majors with a 1.71 ERA, but he made an early exit from his latest start against the Los Angeles Angels on June 8.

The Red Sox later put him on the DL.

“Moving forward, just not as quick a pace as I’d like,” Buchholz said. “If it’s time that needs to help it heal then we’ve just got to give it a little more than we were expecting.”